Still rocking the free Rio Star grapefruits I got from TexaSweet, I started thinking about some grapefruit pie.
I searched high and low until my fingers fell off and my eyes started bleeding, but the only recipes I could find for “grapefruit pie” involved strawberry gelatin. While I’m sure that’s a great recipe – why else would it be ALL OVER the internet – I was imagining something more like a fruit custard, and less like a Jell-O mold.
Then a recalled a conversation I’d had recently about buttermilk pie.
It was all gravy after that. Couple experiments, each more yummier than the last, and blammo, Grapefruit Buttermilk Pie. I know it sounds a little weird maybe, but as my li’l brother pointed out, it tastes like Froot Loops and Froot Loops are good. Don’t embarrass yourself by denying that.
Plus the inside of the pie is naturally pink and that’s cute as hell.
- 1 deep dish pie crust, unbaked
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons grapefruit zest
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup milk
- ¾ cup red grapefruit juice, fresh (about 1 grapefruit)
- 1 stick butter, melted (8 tablespoons; ¼ pound)
- 3 tablespoons flour
- For garnish: 1 grapefruit cut into segments (supremes)
- Preheat the oven to 400 F
- Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork.
- Beat the eggs in a large bowl.
- Brush a little of the eggs over the bottom of the crust and put into the oven for 5 minutes to pre-bake.
- Add the zest and sugar to the eggs and mix well. Add the milk, juice, and butter and mix.
- While whisking, sprinkle to flour in until all is combined well.
- Pour into the hot crust and bake about 40 minutes, until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Let cool completely and garnish with grapefruit segments.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll probably also like Classic Key Lime Pie!
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Love love love Rio Star grapefruit. Can’t wait to try your pie. The new Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook has a grapefruit & passionfruit pie that is absolutely divine!
Ooh, Annmartina, that pie sounds wonderful! I should get a copy of that book.
Hope you like this recipe! Let me know if you post any pictures anywhere.
-hilah
I hate grapefruit, but this pie does sound yummy. Do you think this would work with oranges? (Or would that likely not curdle the milk the same way since the acidity is less?)
Hi Katie!
I think this would work great with oranges! I bet lemon or lime would be nice, too, but you might need to add a touch more sugar with those.
Happy cooking!
-hilah
I was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. I love Rio Star grapefruit!
They’re the best!
I just stumbled upon this while browsing your site, and I must say it looks divine. I’m definitely going to have to try this. I love citrus and custard together – my favorite desert is key lime pie – so this sounds like a real winner to me.
Yay! A citrus-lover after my own heart. I hope you like it!
I manage a little cafe in KC called You Say Tomato. We made this for the counter last week and received RAVE reviews. The first one came from me. Awesome recipe, thanks! Have you ever made the Brown Derby Grapefruit Cake? It’s one of our best selling cakes. Thanks again! Annie (P.S. Jane Almirall is my bud. She turned me onto you and I’m forever grateful.)
Hi Annie! That is so cool! I’m totally going to quote you on that. I am pretty positive no restaurant has every made and served anything of mine to their patrons. I’ve never even heard of the Brown Derby Grapefruit Cake. I’ll have to look it up while grapefruits are still kickin’.
PS I love Jane!!! xoxo
OMIGOD. Just found this recipe for it. Sounds TO DIE FOR.
Wait a sec. Annie, you trying to kill me???
Made this today (in addition to your pie crust) for my parents. Dad said it was a home run, yo! Thanks for the grub.
YAY! That makes my heart sing happy songs of pie. Thanks for commenting!
There is wrong Video, from Valentine’s day recipe!
Oops! Fixed it. Thank you!
Nice double recipe…… lol
Love your show! This reminded me of a dish that a former roommate’s mom always makes for Thanksgiving: pink grapefruit salad. Essentially, it’s grapefruit supremes — was that the word? — suspended in some gelatin with sour cream and sugar swirls. As I write this, I realize it sounds really grandma-y church potluck-y, but it was so good! I ate almost all of it and never got invited back.
Oh dewd, that salad sounds awesome. I love old lady church recipes. They know good grubbin’!
I read an interesting tip today. If you put a whole grapefruit in boiling water for 5 minutes, remove it and cool. You can peel it, and the sour pith comes off with the peel. Just thought I’d share. Haven’t tried it yet.
Thank you, Thomas! I’ve never heard that but it’s an easy trick to try out and see if it helps.